Stay Healthy On-The-Go

A Healthy Parfait For Flag Day

by Rebecca Green

Summer seems to come with a never-ending list of reasons to celebrate. I love a party, so I’m all for it! But I don’t love all the extra sugar that typically comes with the festivities. So I’m always on the lookout for great healthy dessert recipes and this one is a winner. In just a little bit of time, you can turn the season’s bountiful fruit into healthy (and Paleo friendly!) jams and put together a yummy yogurt parfait that is super sweet( without all the sugar.) And the colors are a perfect match to help your family celebrate Flag Day!

To make our Flag Day Parfaits, you’ll need:

1 ½ cups organic strawberries (chopped), plus extra for garnish;

1 ½ cups organic blueberries, plus extra for garnish;

2 tablespoons organic honey;

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice;

2 tablespoons chia seeds;

plain, Greek yogurt; and

granola

You’ll want to make your jams first. Start by simmering each fruit separately over low heat until they starts to break down (5 – 10 minutes). Give it a good stir every few minutes to avoid burning.

Then remove each from heat. Using the back of a spoon or a potato masher, smash the berries to your desired consistency. I like to leave mine a little chunky. Then, to each add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon organic honey. Stir well. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to each fruit mixture and stir well. Let sit for about five minutes.

Once your jam has thickened and cooled a bit, layer them into a parfait glass with the Greek yogurt, alternating a layer of yogurt between each spoonful of jam. Using a wooden skewer or a tasting spoon, swirl the layers together a bit to reach a marbled effect. Top each with a bit of granola and garnish with extra chopped strawberries and blueberries.

You can also layer in the ingredients to popsicle molds for a frozen treat. Refrigerate the rest of the jam in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks—it’s Paleo-friendly and I like to add a bit to a banana or smoothie bowl for a sweet treat!